JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS debate -
Wednesday, 15 Nov 2006

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off as they interfere with the broadcast.

Are the minutes of the meeting of 8 November, as circulated, agreed? Agreed.

Item No. 3 is correspondence. A copy of a letter received from Allianz Ireland in response to the joint committee's request for information on claims sought by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, has been circulated. This issue relates to claims settled outside court and the PIAB. A copy of the letter has been forwarded to the PIAB. It is proposed to note the correspondence.

Senator O’Toole

On that point, I wish to point out for the information of the joint committee that the PIAB will be in court again tomorrow as a result of this issue, namely, its entitlement to inform a client that he or she does not require a solicitor. We are seeking to have this matter addressed by the Supreme Court. If that fails, we may be required to seek legislative change in this regard.

Chairman

We anticipated all of these teething problems. However, I am sure everything that needs to be done will be done.